Penrith Rams completed the "home and away" double in both senior grades against 2010 nemesis, Moorebank Sports Magpies, at Rosedale on Saturday. First grade completed the double with a hard fought 39 point win against the 2010 Div 3 Premiers whilst Reserves posted their most comprehensive win against the 2010 Div 4 Grand Finalists with a massive 73 point win.
Under 18's went to within 11 points of scoring a major upset against 2009/2010 Premiers, Sydney Uni in an exciting match at Cook Park hosted by the St Clair Crows Junior Club. The Rams restored pride after their drubbing by the students earlier in the year and will be looking to return to the winners list soon.
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1st Grade V Moorebank Sports
Penrith Rams travelled to Warwick Farm on Saturday in an attempt to bounce back after a big loss the previous week to Holroyd-Parramatta. The game against last seasons Div 3 champions was never expected to be an easy task despite the Rams handing out a drubbing to the Magpies at Monarch Oval in the opening game of the season.
The famed Rosedale Oval, one of the best playing venues on the Sydney AFL circuit, was again in pristine condition as the match began at the unusually late time of 3:30 PM. Penrith went into the match with the loss of captain, Dave Bradley, vice-captain Dale Chivas, Tim Cummins and Jake Shelley. Nathan Allison took the captain's role and was fanatical in opening his account in this role with a victory. The loss of these key midfielders/forwards was always going to ensure that Moorebank were not going to suffer a similar fate to their round one clash.
The Rams started well against the physical Moorebank boys but late call-up, Paul Borsato, opened the scoring with a goal in the opening term whilst young Daniel Schroot added another. The Magpies responded with one of their own to face just a seven point deficit at the break.
In perfectly still conditions, the second quarter was a tough as you will see, with both teams being brutal in defence. Blake Roberts returning to the top grade after a 10 week injury layoff added the only goal for the quarter that saw the visitors edge a little further in front with a 15 point buffer at the long break.
The game opened up in the third quarter with some good movement and relentless defence by both sides. Penrith were to lose Jimmy Denton as he was knocked senseless in a heavy clash that saw his day come to an end. Daniel Schroot, having a blinder in the midfield, kicked the Rams first for the half. Adam Sharp, recovering from a heavy dose of mid-week flu made no mistake from the goal-square after a 50 metre penalty was awarded to him whilst Josh Anasis swooped on a loose ball to bag a six-pointer. The kicking woes continued however with six behinds posted and with two Magpie goals, the game was still in the balance as the lights were cutting in for the final quarter with Penrith defending their 26 point lead for the final 22 minutes.
It was to be the Rams day, however, as they ground their way further in front. A Jay Edwards goal followed by Josh Anasis's second for the day after some great lead-up work. The Pies were just able to muster a single point and the darkened scoreboard showed the Rams recording a 39 point victory as proceedings came to an end.
Coach Geoff Payne was happy to take the points in what turned out to be a battle of attrition between these two traditional foes. "It was great to bounce back quickly to a physical side after last week's loss to the Goanna's, who play a similar style of footy as the Magpies. The loss of some key players was always going to leave the game in the in the offing to the most committed team" he said. "Each and every one of today's squad stood up and was counted and it was an impressive performance"
It was one of the hardest calls all season as to the most impressive on-field performances on the day. Jay Edwards was again sensational all over the ground with precision grabs and top-line disposals. Daniel Schroot caused headaches for the Magpies. The diminutive midfielder showed great speed and skill in outsmarting the home side most of the day and was rewarded with a double. Bryce Roney and John Keane stood out in the backline with great defence whilst Tom Hall went into each contest with no self preservation. Mark Woodford was instrumental in the rucks and his general play was inspirational and Ben Robinson, having a rare day without scoring a major put in his usual relentless display against his bigger opponents. Josh Anasis was the other multiple scorers with two goals
Next week the team returns to Greygums in the top of the table clash against Balmain. The Dockers grabbed a final term victory against the Rams in their round 5 clash at Drummoyne earlier this season by 18 points after the Rams had led for most of the match. The bigger venue will suit the Rams in front of what is expected to be a big crowd. The likely return of Chivas, who kicked 10 goals in that match, and Cummins will ensure that Penrith have a great chance of regaining the Div 2 ladder lead.
Penrith Rams 2.2 3.5 6.10 8.13-61 def Moorebank Sports 1.1 1.2 3.3 3.4-22
Goal Kickers: J. Anasis 2, D. Schroot 2, J. Edwards , A. Sharp , B. Roberts , P. Borsato
Best Players: J. Edwards, T. Hall, B. Roney, D. Schroot, B. Robinson, J. Keane
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Reserve Grade V Moorebank Sports
The Rams Reserves took to the road again on Saturday when they travelled to Rosedale Oval to take on last year's grand finalists, Moorebank Sports Magpies, in the Div 4 clash. The Rams were looking for their sixth straight win as they sit in second place on the ladder behind the undefeated Macquarie University. Moorebank were sitting in fourth spot with wins at two of their last three starts and had a perfect unbeaten record at Rosedale this season.
The two teams last met in the opener of the season at Monarch Oval in which Moorebank led until the last minute before a scambling Rams goal saw the Magpies snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. An away win would be a tough assignment but a classy squad was selected for the clash.
On a perfect winter’s day, Tate’s Titans got off to an explosive start with a five goal opening quarter. Good control of the ball was a feature as the Rams slickly gained momentum in a performance that left the home side shell shocked. It was to be an even second term as Moorebank responded. Like all Magpies sides in recent years, they are a very physical outfit and their team this week was no exception as they fought to keep their perfect Rosedale record alive. A 31 point lead at the half time break was the reward for the team putting in the hard yards. Coach Kevin Tate seemed extremely pleased with the performance and did little to change the successful structure, just emphasising the fact that the Pies were a proud side that never gave in.
The third quarter was a tough affair with both sides stepping up the defence. Moorebank made some changes that saw the first half warriors heavily marked and lifted their game. But Penrith also stepped up to the challenge and although posting just a single goal, restricted the Pies to their half time tally and hold a commanding 42 point lead with the final 22 minutes of the match remaining.
It was the fitter Penrith side that dominated the final term. The Rams were to post another five majors and kept Moorebank to just two behinds. The impressive display in inflicting the home side’s first defeat at home showed that the side is right in the mix for the clubs first reserve grade flag with a stunning 73 point win.
For the Rams, the “Nathan” trio of Nathan Gatt, Nathan White and Nathan Rowley were outstanding.“Gatty”,celebrating his birthday in the best possible fashion, made multiple breaks and kept rebounding after some heavy hits, topping the day off with a double. Captain White showed a cool head under pressure and guided the team from the backline, repelling attacks from the Pies. Nathan Rowley was again outstanding with evasive skills and excellent decision making. Jason Jackson continues his tough attitude in his first AFL season and was another standout on the day whilst Josh Hall having just his second game of the season after returning from a Canadian adventure showed his class. Tayt Corless again is relishing his duties in the midfield and shared the kicking honours with Gordon Howell, each being credited with a treble. A slim, fit Christian Knight again found space in the middle and has been outstanding.
In all, Kevin Tate considered it the most complete effort of the season. As the structure of the team starts to solidify with the run to the finals hotting up, Tate is confident that there is still improvement in the side. The teams faces a stiff task next week on the return to Greygums which sees the Rams play UTS for the first time this year. With the Bats sitting just one spot below the Rams in third spot, they will be intent on putting in a big performance after their shock loss to Nor-West on the weekend.
Penrith Rams 5.2 7.4 8.9 13.12-90 def Moorebank Sports 1.2 2.3 2.3 2.5-17
Goal Kickers: T. Corless 3, G. Howell 3, C. Knight 2, N. Gatt 2, A. Goodwin , L. Smith , N. Rowley
Best Players: N. Gatt, N. White, N. Rowley, J. Hall, J. Jackson, T. Corless
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Under 18's V Sydney University
Penrith Rams 3.5 6.5 7.6 10.11-71 def by Sydney University 1.4 8.7 9.16 10.22-82
Goal Kickers: B. McGovern 6, L. Murphy 2, J. Ponton , W. Nicholson-Bragg
Best Players: J. Ponton, J. Hunt, L. Jones, H. Doyle, B. McGovern, L. Murphy
Match report to follow
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Last Modified on 17/07/2011 13:19